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Vale: Tom Petty

Singer-songwriter, who performed in several TV shows & movies, has died.

Singer-songwriter Tom Petty, who performed in several TV shows & movies, has died aged 66.

He died after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Malibu home, and was rushed to hospital. Earlier reports had filed following incorrect LAPD advice.

He was taken off life support at the family’s request, according to reports.

“On behalf of the Tom Petty family we are devastated to announce the untimely death of our father, husband, brother, leader and friend Tom Petty,” a statement said.

“He suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Malibu in the early hours of this morning and was taken to UCLA Medical Center but could not be revived. He died peacefully at 8:40 p.m. PT surrounded by family, his bandmates and friends.”

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers had hits including hits American Girl, Free Fallin’, Breakdown, Listen to Her Heart and more, many of which featured in film and television. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. Petty also joined the Travelling Wilburys.

Petty also acted in TV, appearing in It’s Garry Shandling’s Show between 1987 – 1990 as one of Shandling’s neighbours. He also featured in The Larry Sanders Show.

He was a voice actor in The Simpsons episode, “How I Spent My Strummer Vacation” and had a recurring role as the voice of Elroy “Lucky” Kleinschmidt in King of the Hill from 2004 to 2009.

Film credits included The Postman.

Source: The Age, IMDb

5 Responses

  1. I saw him in concert many years ago now and besides putting on a great show, you really felt like you were part of it. He loved to interact with the crowd. A great loss to the world.

  2. Sad news at just 66, of course one part of the great Traveling Wilburys as well, up there now with George Harrison and Roy Orbison, hopefully teamed up with Del Shannon at last for the Ultimate Wilburys (with even Lennon and Elvis joining them).

    Vale.

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